Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-12-16
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.,

Juctinn in the tariff duties has caused
much comment in Washington since his
message was presented TO Congress.
While some Of the Eastern States are
strongly protectionist. the great States
Of the Northwest will tend strongly 10
support the Clevela"d idea of keeping
the tax on whiskey and reducing the
tax on the necessaries of life. Even the
Chicago Tribune, the greatest Republic
can paper in the west, gives It's endorse
ment to the message. OF course any
tariff bill passed this session will include
the repeal of the tobacco tax, this being
one of the items OF internal revenue
that will have TO be conceded in order
TO get the necessary votes TO pass tarlh
measure. Ii is also thought the tax on
fruit hrandes and that Oh alcohol for
scientific purp ses will be taken OF.
The contest of Mr.. Faulkne-'s seat in
the Senate by Mr.. Lucas is drawing to Il
close. as the Committee on Privileges
and Elections heard Mr.. Lucas in sup
port of his claim this morning and Mr..
Faulkner this afternoon. Late to-day
the committee decided TO report nnani
imously tomorrow that Mr.. Faulkner
is entitled To the seat, and he will prob.
ably be sworn ia before the end of the
week While this action has been eX-
prcted by every one. still it is IA relief
that it is settled at last and we are sure
OF little rest from the eternal question:
"Who do you think will be seated"
The pOstmasters of the third and
fourth class have been holding con-
vention i'm Washington this week for
the purpose of trying to get Congress to
pass Il law allowing them office rent aud
clerk hire, aud adjusting other griev-
ances they have. As il stands now offices
of the first and second class are allowed
a certain sum every year for running
expenses, while the other offices are not.
There are quite a number of delegates
i'm attendance from West Virginia,
among whom are MeSSrs. ID. ). Rentch,
of Shepherdstowu, George II. Flagg. of
Charlestown aud w. b. Colston, OF
Martinsburg.
On account of the recent trouble with
anarchists in Chicago and other large
cities, Mr.. Adams, Of Illinois, intro
duced bill in the House yesterday pro-
viding for the expulsion of dangerous
foreigners from tie United States. The
bill provides that when the district at
torney shall have information in writ
ing from three reputable citizens that
any alien has aided, advised or encour-
aged the destruction of property, he
shall notify the President, who shall
then issue an order in writing requiring
such alien to leave the United States,
and if such person refuse lie shall be
sent out of the country, by n United
States marshal, and if he return lie
shall be punished by not exceeding
three years imprisonment, and at the
expiration of his term of Imprisonment
shall be again expelled from the country
and not allowed to return until the
order expelling shall be revoked. The
bill is likely to excite considerable com
ment and discussion.
The December report of the Agricul-
tural Department relates mainly TO the
prices Of farm products. The average
value of wheat is SO cents per bushel.
only three mills higher than last year.
The average price Of corn is only slight
ly advanced, while oats are one cent
higher than they were year ago. The
average value of potatoes is much en-
HANGED, being 6S1a cents as against 40
cents last year. The value of hay Is
also much increased, being 80 "a per ton
as against s7.36 last year.
The much abused Eugene Higgins, of
Maryland, has announced his determi-
notion OF resigning his position as chief
of the Appointment Division of the
Treasury Department. 1t will be re-
membered that the Mugwump press OF
the country has been after the scalp of
Mr.. Higgins ever since his appointment,
but for some months past they have not
been pressing the matter so strongly.
Mr.. Higgins said too day that he was
never an applicant for the office, but
that after he got it lie did not intend to
20 out under fire, his reason for resign
ing now being that he can better him.
self financially by doing so. The Re-
publicans in the Treasury Department
will be greatly relieved at his retirement,
but he carries with him the good wishes
Of all Democrats, both in and out of
office.
The appointment of the standing and
select committees of the Senate were
announced Monday. Mr.. Kenna is on
the following committees: Expendi-
lures of Public money, Railroads, Com
merce and Patents. Mr.. Faulkner is Oh
The Committees, On Claims, Mines and
Mining and Pensions. The Republicans
being in majority. of course take all
the good chairmanships, the Democrats
only getting three or four chairman
ships of committees and minority rep
resentation on all the important ones.
5. j. w.
Excursions 10 California.